Take a look at all of the Chargers players that will be at training camp this year.
Chris McCain throws up a peace sign while leaving the facilities to head to New York to take on the Jets on Friday, Dec. 22, 2017.
Chris McCain throws up a peace sign while leaving the facilities to head to New York to take on the Jets on Friday, Dec. 22, 2017.
Tre Boston poses outside of the facilities before traveling to Kansas City on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017.
Tre Boston poses outside of the facilities before traveling to Kansas City on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017.
Austin Ekeler throws up the peace sign while boarding the plane to head to Kansas City on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017.
Austin Ekeler throws up the peace sign while boarding the plane to head to Kansas City on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017.
Adrian Phillips and Michael Ola play around at the facilities before heading to Kansas City on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017.
Adrian Phillips and Michael Ola play around at the facilities before heading to Kansas City on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017.
This is a 2016 photo of Rasheed Bailey of the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL football team. This image reflects the Jacksonville Jaguars active roster as of Tuesday, June 14, 2016 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Tre Boston and Adrian Phillips pose for a photo on board a plane headed to Dallas on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017.
Tre Boston and Adrian Phillips pose for a photo on board a plane headed to Dallas on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017.
Melvin Gordon throws up the horns at the facilities before traveling to Dallas on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017.
Melvin Gordon throws up the horns at the facilities before traveling to Dallas on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017.
Chris McCain throws up the
Chris McCain throws up the
Trevor Williams and Casey Hayward take a selfie before traveling to Dallas on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017.
Trevor Williams and Casey Hayward take a selfie before traveling to Dallas on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017.
Mike Williams poses with Geremy Davis and Tyrell Williams before taking off to Dallas on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017.
Mike Williams poses with Geremy Davis and Tyrell Williams before taking off to Dallas on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017.
Korey Toomer, Jatavis Brown and Denzel Perryman strike a pose at the facilities before taking off to Dallas on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017.
Korey Toomer, Jatavis Brown and Denzel Perryman strike a pose at the facilities before taking off to Dallas on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017.
Denzel Perryman smiles on the flight to Jacksonville on Friday, Nov. 10, 2017.
Denzel Perryman smiles on the flight to Jacksonville on Friday, Nov. 10, 2017.
Michael Davis and Joey Bosa pose for a photo before heading to Jacksonville on Friday, Nov. 10, 2017.
Michael Davis and Joey Bosa pose for a photo before heading to Jacksonville on Friday, Nov. 10, 2017.
Nick Dzubnar, Dan Feeney, Sean McGrath and Kenny Wiggins leave the practice facilities and head to Jacksonville on Friday, Nov. 10, 2017.
Nick Dzubnar, Dan Feeney, Sean McGrath and Kenny Wiggins leave the practice facilities and head to Jacksonville on Friday, Nov. 10, 2017.
Antonio Gates leaves the team facilities for Oakland on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017.
Antonio Gates leaves the team facilities for Oakland on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017.
Melvin Ingram leaves the team facilties for Oakland on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017.
Melvin Ingram leaves the team facilties for Oakland on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017.
Keenan Allen leaves the team facilities for Oakland on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017.
Keenan Allen leaves the team facilities for Oakland on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017.
Darius Philon leaves the team facilities for Oakland on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017.
Darius Philon leaves the team facilities for Oakland on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017.
Mike Williams smiles while leaving the team facilities for Oakland on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017.
Rayshawn Jenkins, Trevor Williams and Jahleel Addae leave the team facilities for Oakland on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017.
Rayshawn Jenkins, Trevor Williams and Jahleel Addae leave the team facilities for Oakland on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017.
Jeremiah Attoachu leaves the team facilities for Oakland on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017.
Jeremiah Attoachu leaves the team facilities for Oakland on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017.
Hayes Pullard, Korey Toomer and Jatavis Brown leave the team facilities for Oakland on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017.
Hayes Pullard, Korey Toomer and Jatavis Brown leave the team facilities for Oakland on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017.
Sean Culkin and Hunter Henry throw up the deuces before heading to New York to take on the Giants on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017.
Sean Culkin and Hunter Henry throw up the deuces before heading to New York to take on the Giants on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017.
Kenny Wiggins waives and smiles before traveling to New York to take on the Giants on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017.
Kenny Wiggins waives and smiles before traveling to New York to take on the Giants on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017.
Jahleel Addae leaves the team facilities to head to Denver on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017.
Jahleel Addae leaves the team facilities to head to Denver on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017.
Derek Watt leaves the team facilities for Denver on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017.
Philip Rivers leaves the team facilities for Denver on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017.
Philip Rivers leaves the team facilities for Denver on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017.
This is a 2015 photo of Bruce Gaston of the Green Bay Packers NFL football team. This image reflects the Green Bay Packers active roster as of Monday, June 15, 2015 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
James Onwualu and Isaac Rochell smile on their way to Denver on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017.
James Onwualu and Isaac Rochell smile on their way to Denver on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017.
Harvard defensive end Zach Hodges talks with teammates during a NFL Pro Day in Cambridge, Mass., Tuesday, March 10, 2015. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Tre Boston crosses his arms on the plane traveling to Jacksonville on Friday, Nov. 10, 2017.
Tre Boston crosses his arms on the plane traveling to Jacksonville on Friday, Nov. 10, 2017.
Melvin Gordon and Casey Hayward pose for a picture on the tarmac before heading to Denver on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017.
Melvin Gordon and Casey Hayward pose for a picture on the tarmac before heading to Denver on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017.
This is a photo of James Jones of the Green Bay Packers NFL football team. This image reflects the Green Bay Packers active roster as of Friday, June 14, 2013. (AP Photo)
This is a 2014 photo of Marcel Jones of the New Orleans Saints NFL football team. This image reflects the New Orleans Saints active roster as of Tuesday, June 10, 2014 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
QB Philip Rivers | NC State | 2-Star (1999)
QB Philip Rivers | NC State | 2-Star (1999)
NT Brandon Mebane | California | 3-Star (2003)
NT Brandon Mebane | California | 3-Star (2003)
CB Casey Hayward | Vanderbilt | 3-Star (2008)
DT Corey Liuget | Illinois | 4-Star (2008)
DT Corey Liuget | Illinois | 4-Star (2008)
DE Melvin Ingram | South Carolina | 4-Star (2007)
S Jahleel Addae | Central Michigan | 3-Star (2008)
S Jahleel Addae | Central Michigan | 3-Star (2008)
T Joe Barksdale | LSU | 4-Star (2007)
T Joe Barksdale | LSU | 4-Star (2007)
WR Travis Benjamin | Miami | 4-Star (2008)
WR Travis Benjamin | Miami | 4-Star (2008)
DT Damion Square | Alabama | 3-Star (2008)
DT Damion Square | Alabama | 3-Star (2008)
LB Denzel Perryman | Miami | 3-Star (2011)
LB Denzel Perryman | Miami | 3-Star (2011)
T Sam Tevi | Utah | 3-Star (2013)
DT Tenny Palepoi | Utah | 3-Star (2012)
DT Tenny Palepoi | Utah | 3-Star (2012)
S Adrian Phillips | Texas | 4-Star (2010)
S Adrian Phillips | Texas | 4-Star (2010)
DE Chris McCain | California | 4-Star (2010)
DE Chris McCain | California | 4-Star (2010)
LB Hayes Pullard | USC | 4-Star (Class of 2010)
LB Hayes Pullard | USC | 4-Star (Class of 2010)
TE Hunter Henry | Arkansas | 4-Star (2013)
TE Hunter Henry | Arkansas | 4-Star (2013)
DE Isaac Rochell | Notre Dame | 4-Star (2013)
DE Isaac Rochell | Notre Dame | 4-Star (2013)
WR Mike Williams | Clemson | 4-Star (2013)
WR Mike Williams | Clemson | 4-Star (2013)
FB Derek Watt | Wisconsin | 3-Star (2011)
FB Derek Watt | Wisconsin | 3-Star (2011)
RB Melvin Gordon | Wisconsin | 4-Star (2011)
RB Melvin Gordon | Wisconsin | 4-Star (2011)
DE Joey Bosa | Ohio State | 4-Star (2013)
DE Joey Bosa | Ohio State | 4-Star (2013)
CB Trevor Williams | Penn State | 3-Star (2012)
CB Trevor Williams | Penn State | 3-Star (2012)
C Spencer Pulley | Vanderbilt | 3-Star (2011)
C Spencer Pulley | Vanderbilt | 3-Star (2011)
This is a 2015 photo of James Vaughters of the Green Bay Packers NFL football team. This image reflects the Green Bay Packers active roster as of Tuesday, June 16, 2015 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2014 photo of Kamal Johnson of the Miami Dolphins NFL football team. This image reflects the Miami Dolphins active roster as of Monday, May 12, 2014 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
It's finally back to football for the San Diego Chargers, who kick off training camp with their first practice this morning.
Perhaps no one is more eager, excited and relieved to get started than Tom Telesco.
The general manager explained how every year brings new motivations, and that is certainly the case coming off a 4-12 campaign. But nonetheless, they have turned the page on the past and don't plan to look back.
"It's a different (motivation) than the last couple years," Telesco said. "I wouldn't say last year's record impacted us differently because every year you have a different motivation. The first year we go 9-7 into the playoffs, coming off that playoff game our motivation was to go farther than we did. Then the year after that we go 9-7 and don't make the playoffs, and there was that huge motivation that we should have been in the playoffs. So you have a chip on your shoulder from that. This is different. We went 4-12 and probably have a bigger chip on our shoulder. It's a huge motivation to show your fans and show everybody that we are better than we showed last year."
For Telesco, that meant turning last year's weaknesses into this year's strength. The front office laid out a plan at the start of the offseason to improve in certain areas, evidenced in their free agent and draft day decisions.
"We certainly put an emphasis on special teams this year," Telesco said. "We also wanted to solidify the offensive and defensive lines where we could, and we did that. We wanted to add some speed on offense, and we did that, too. We wanted to add some help on the defensive line, so it wasn't just Corey (Liuget). So we tried to add some more impact players there so we could help solidify the lines like I said."
One of those decisions was drafting Joey Bosa with the third overall pick, but the defensive end won't be on the field this morning as he has yet to sign his contact. Telesco said he understands how everyone wants a Bosa update, but there is nothing new to report on that front.
Nonetheless, over 20 rookies will be on the field, including seven members of this year's draft class. While the first two days are similar to OTA practices, Telesco is eager to see how they fare when the pads go on on Monday. As he explained, there are some positions that you can't truly evaluate until then.
"We really liked our offseason. But you don't know how everybody is going to respond when we get into battle until the pads come on and the bullets start flying, whether that is an August practice or whether that is a preseason game. (You see more) up the middle. Safeties, linebackers, defense-offensive line, fullbacks, running back; those are the guys I notice in OTAs, but they are out in space. There is no contact, and obviously we are still not finishing any plays, but those are the ones you have to see when the pads come on."
